“The Be Spartan Green Awards celebrate people who have really put in the extra effort in looking at sustainability on campus,” Battle says. “The conference will host around 100 suppliers, faculty and staff to talk about sustainability along the supply chain.”

One of the current efforts towards sustainability on behalf of the university is the push towards using biofuel at the Simon Power Plant. Battle says that torrefied wood testing could help the university to a 3 percent increase in biofuel use.

“It’s charred wood that can go through the same equipment that is used to pulverize coal,” Battle says. “We’re testing this to see if it produces the type of energy we need. The first couple phases have been favorable.”

The Energy Transition Plan update released in October outlines Michigan State University’s plan for moving towards more renewable energy use on campus and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Battle explains that efforts towards sustainability, large or small, are felt on a regional and national scale through active engagement.

“When people are engaging in sustainability projects it doesn’t just benefit Michigan State,” she says. “It really benefits all of their communities. The key component of our sustainability program is the broad engagement among our academic enterprise and our students.”

From student research to proposals and fundraisers, student involvement and enthusiasm in sustainability-related campus activities increases every year.

“In the last year we’ve awarded over $70,000 in student research grants,” she says. “I joke around and say that a lot of them are a lot smarter than me, but I try not to let them know that.”

Battle encourages students and the community to get involved and explains that the university calendar is full of sustainability related events happening throughout the year.

“One of the wonderful things about sustainability at Michigan State is that it’s happening everywhere,” she says. “Jump right in and join something.”